Also struggling with injuries are the Clippers, who have given Harrell much more time at the centre spot in the absence of DeAndre Jordan, and who are quite prepared to let Johnson catch and shoot some of Lou Williams’s passes amid his season-long Allen Iverson impression. Harrell was quieter than usual last time out, but his 16.6 fantasy point performance took his five game average down only to a still-impressive 29.3 fantasy points per game, while Johnson has seen his fantasy point total increase for five consecutive games now, averaging 24.8 over the last four. Both will get more chances tonight, and with their prices stagnated, both should be on your radar, especially Harrell.

In addition to his more generalised stretch of good performances in recent times dating back to the time of Blake Griffin’s injury, Harrell’s fantasy candiacy is further buoyed right now by the injury to regular starting centre DeAndre Jordan. Taking full advantage of the increased opportunities, Harrell has averaged 32.5 fantasy points over the past four games, is a good candidate to do so again once more, and is the closest thing there is to a must-pick tonight.

Before the last Clippers game, we speculated as to who would start at power forward in Blake Griffin’s absence, as head coach Doc Rivers was non-committal. It was ultimately Harrell, who got the start, and although the Clippers were soundly beaten (to be expected on the road against decent Utah opposition when severely undermanned), Harrell himself was effective with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 18.1 fantasy points in 21 minutes.

Concerns about the poor spacing between a Harrell/DeAndre Jordan frontcourt are very fair, as, for all their collective athleticism, neither is a floor spacer. But Harrell is likely the team’s third best big man talent, and until Gallinari and/or Griffin return, he is probably the best option going forward for the team, thus giving him fantasy value.

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has stated that, in the absence of Blake Griffin, no one player will be assigned the regular starting power forward spot. Still, these two figure to be the most obvious beneficiaries. Harrell already plays a little bit, an energetic athlete, rebounder and dunker who would already have merited more court time if he fitted better with DeAndre Jordan. Dekker, albeit a natural small forward, may be the better fit, a driving, shooting face-up forward who can do a decent impression of a cheap Danilo Gallinari until the real Gallinari returns next month. Taking either is a bit of a risk until we see quite how the new rotation shakes out, but they are very cheap risks with plenty of logic behind them.

Played well whenever called upon, hustling, defending and finishing. Still a subpar rebounder for some reason, yet at least that went upwards, up to a 11.2% overall rebounding percentage on the season. An arguably excessive focus on players who can stretch the floor however saw Harrell out of the rotation even when Nene was out, and even after Harrell proved that one with his physical profile and tenacity does not need a jump shot with range to contribute offensively. Still, if that is going to be a requirement for his future, the 11-24 shooting from 16 to 23 feet bodes well.

Player Plan: One guaranteed minimum salary season remaining. If he is not used to grease the wheels on a trade, he will be a quality back-up; if he is not used, he will be a quality back-up that might sneak under the free agency radar. If Nene is brought back, Harrell will have less chance to play; if he is not played, however, that’s a mistake.